Counselling in the activation paradigm: Does the back-to-work agreement make the difference?

Abstract

"Counselling at the job centre typically ends with the signing of back-to-work agreements. These are legally binding contracts between jobcentres and jobseekers, which are intended to implement the “carrot and stick” elements of activation policy. Back-to-work agreements have been discussed critically because they emphasize elements of control and because jobseekers can only partially contribute their work interests and life needs. This article examines whether the back-to-work agreement plays a central role in establishing control in the counselling situation under the conditions of a field experiment. Within this field experiment, the use of back-to-work agreements and the possibility of sanctioning on its basis were randomly varied. Interaction observations and semistructured interviews with counselling staff and jobseekers are analysed following the framework analysis and the dramaturgical approach of Erving Goffman. The article shows that whether the counselling is more controlling or supportive is influenced less by the fact of contracting or not contracting the back-to-work agreement. The crucial factor instead is the framing of the counselling interview and the impression management of jobseekers." (Author's abstract, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

Cite article

Freier, C. (2021): Beratung im Aktivierungsparadigma. Macht die Eingliederungsvereinbarung den Unterschied? In: Soziale Passagen, Vol. 13, No. 1, p. 115-134. DOI:10.1007/s12592-021-00375-4